REAL SPIRITUAL FORMATION - by Calvin
Spiritual formation seems to be all the buzz in Christian circles these days. Despite the trendy feel of those conversations, spiritual formation properly applied is no fad. Real spiritual formation is as old as rabbis and disciples. Unfortunately it is part of the baby that was thrown out with the bath water during the Protestant Reformation. We are simply rediscovering an ancient Christian tradition.
As with any popular trend, there are hucksters ready to market their own brand of snake oil under the guise of spiritual formation. Since I have experience presenting leadership development training from my old corporate days, my favorite example are people who sell leadership practices under the brand label of spiritual formation. Leadership development will not form anybody in the spiritual life. In fact, very few Christian leaders ever grow beyond the level of leadership toward true Christ-likeness. Maybe they believe that leadership is the pinnacle of Christian living.
So what is real spiritual formation? Dr. Kenneth Boa defines spiritual formation as, "The grace-driven developmental process in which the soul grows in conformity to the image of Christ." In modern Protestant practice, spiritual formation has been attempted through the modes of teaching and preaching. In this model all you get is information and intellectual assent. But in the ancient traditions, spiritual formation is practiced in the context of long term relationships where a mutual desire for transformation reshapes the soul in the image of Christ.
Jesus invites us into a spiritually formative relationship with his offer, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." (Matthew 11:29 TNIV) "Take my yoke," is rabbi speak for, "Be my disciple." A disciple in this sense is a person under a vow to become like the master, Jesus Christ. Real spiritual formation requires intentional effort to become like Jesus. That's what it means to be a Christian disciple. Such discipleship demands a life long commitment to self-denial.
Jesus was perfectly obedient to the Father even to the point of dying on a cross. Do you want to become like him? That will be a demanding goal which can only be attained through long term spiritual formation. It will require as much effort as it requires grace. It calls for as much human spirit as it does Holy Spirit. The true disciple will need a skilled and gifted guide as well as a community of believers who are also committed to the process of spiritual formation unto the image of Christ.
Where are you on this journey of spiritual formation? Are you well along the path or would you like to enter the race? Let me know what you seek.
At His Mercy,
Calvin
As with any popular trend, there are hucksters ready to market their own brand of snake oil under the guise of spiritual formation. Since I have experience presenting leadership development training from my old corporate days, my favorite example are people who sell leadership practices under the brand label of spiritual formation. Leadership development will not form anybody in the spiritual life. In fact, very few Christian leaders ever grow beyond the level of leadership toward true Christ-likeness. Maybe they believe that leadership is the pinnacle of Christian living.
So what is real spiritual formation? Dr. Kenneth Boa defines spiritual formation as, "The grace-driven developmental process in which the soul grows in conformity to the image of Christ." In modern Protestant practice, spiritual formation has been attempted through the modes of teaching and preaching. In this model all you get is information and intellectual assent. But in the ancient traditions, spiritual formation is practiced in the context of long term relationships where a mutual desire for transformation reshapes the soul in the image of Christ.
Jesus invites us into a spiritually formative relationship with his offer, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." (Matthew 11:29 TNIV) "Take my yoke," is rabbi speak for, "Be my disciple." A disciple in this sense is a person under a vow to become like the master, Jesus Christ. Real spiritual formation requires intentional effort to become like Jesus. That's what it means to be a Christian disciple. Such discipleship demands a life long commitment to self-denial.
Jesus was perfectly obedient to the Father even to the point of dying on a cross. Do you want to become like him? That will be a demanding goal which can only be attained through long term spiritual formation. It will require as much effort as it requires grace. It calls for as much human spirit as it does Holy Spirit. The true disciple will need a skilled and gifted guide as well as a community of believers who are also committed to the process of spiritual formation unto the image of Christ.
Where are you on this journey of spiritual formation? Are you well along the path or would you like to enter the race? Let me know what you seek.
At His Mercy,
Calvin
Comments